NFL: Players union challenges Goodell's statement on bounty

August 17, 2012|Reuters

"It would give him a chance to work with the first group in a game situation against better competition, and I think that would be good," Philbin said. "Our plan all along was at some point in time, whether it be this week, next week or the week after, our plan all along was to let all three of those guys have some opportunities. ... He's going to play a lot, Matt's going to play a lot, and Pat (Devlin) will probably play some, we have three guys. We'll take it from there."

Nagy was expected to compete for the starting center job but he suffered a high ankle sprain in the opening practice of training camp and had surgery on his left ankle for the second time in 10 months. He fractured the same ankle against the Patriots last October.

The Lions can place Nagy on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list, which gives him two months to get healthy enough to practice. If that doesn't happen, he can be moved from PUP to injured reserve.

The Cowboys expected Nagy to revert to their own reserve/injured list after clearing waivers. But much like the Patriots did with tight end Jake Ballard -- claimed from the Giants despite a knee injury that will keep him out this season -- the Lions took a low-risk gamble on Nagy returning to good health.

Lions center Dominic Raiola is in the final year of his contract.

Nagy started at center for Wisconsin after a moped accident in July 2009 in which he suffered ligament damage in his foot, broke his right wrist and right heel.

---The injury count is on the rise for the Cincinnati Bengals, who lost tight end Jermaine Gresham and rookie backup linebacker Vontaze Burfict in Atlanta on Thursday.

Gresham injured his right his right knee on a 25-yard reception in the first quarter. He hyperextended his knee but was able to walk to the sidelines.

Burfict might have suffered a concussion on a collision with teammate Taylor Mays in the second quarter.

The Bengals lost three starters in the first five minutes of their preseason opener, including a season-ending knee injury to offensive guard Travelle Wharton. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (foot) did not play in Thursday's game at Atlanta.